Paedophile policeman jailed for 22 years over 40 offences

Allan Richards was allowed to remain an officer even though he was twice investigated for child sex crimes and barred from the Scoutswest midlands police/PA

A former policeman who exploited his position to sexually abuse boys for more than three decades was jailed for 22 years today.

Allan Richards, 54, was described by a judge as posing “a continuing significant risk of serious harm to the public”.

An independent inquiry is under way into how Richards remained an officer with West Midlands police after he was twice investigated for child sex crimes and barred from acting as a troop leader by the Scout Movement because of complaints about his conduct.

The NSPCC said that it was “deeply concerning” that the force had not brought Richards to justice earlier.

After two trials at Birmingham crown court, Richards was finally convicted last month of 40 sex offences — including rape — against 23 victims.…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.